, 1887-06-03
A FLIGHT.

nations. Ours was the only vessel flying
tho American flag.
The time hangs heavily when ships are
waiting for frcights or winds to start o
Into active service. Pera had become
d~rcadfully dull to us, and we had don't up
~Constantinoplo and the surrounding coun-
try to our hearts content. With the ex-
coption of an occasional Inner at the
consulate, there was no recreation to be
had-no theatres or operas. A dozen of
Us tried to swim the Bosphorus from the
point from which Byron was said to hare
started. lilo must have accomplished his
feat In the summer, for we signnly failed
In tho attempt, owing to the temperature
Of tho water, and were glad enough to be
taken on board our boats before we got
half way.
Our only resort was a hotel which was
kept by tho wife Of tho captain of the port,
who was in exile for murder. Sho was a
true type of Grecinn beauty, a native of
Athous, just such a person as the bard
who swnm so well would immortalize In
verso. Between tho hotel and the landing
where we took our boat for the ship was
a distance of about th~reo-quarSers of a
milo. Most Of the streets were guarded
by gates, which were closed ut night, when
no one was allowed to pass-unlcss sailors,
who, with n few piasters, could bribe the
guard to open for them at any time. We
mover ventured to bo out late unless we
were n dozen or so strong; then we would
sally forth, lantern In ono hand and pistol
in tho other, ready to defend ourselves
against robbers, who did not hesitate TO
take life. Tho Turkish authorities took
no notice OF troubles arising among for
eigners. The consuls were supposed to
care for the interests Of their own people.
| saw n Greek stab and rob an Austrian
captain within twenty feet Of a Turkish
guard, who did not interfere, and who
showed less interest than he would have
shown at n fight between two packs Of
dogs.
TIL street which was our regular route
TO the ship had a gnte and q gunrd house
ut either inc Blank walls about twenty
feet high extended some 800 feet nlong
both sides of the street. Behind these
walls were the palaces OF two of the grand
pashas. We could only see the windows
of the upper stories; the magni1cence
within was left to our imagination. As
VIC were walking past one afternoon one
OF the windows vas suddenly thrown open,
and there appeared at 1t the most beauti-
full woman / had ever seen. We were
fairly electrified by her beauty. She had
defled a well known edict in showing us
her face, rs we knew. Instantly as she
appeared we saw her throw something
over tho wall, and then she closed the
window. 1t was n note which she had
thrown We all rushed to pick IL up.
The prize was won by q Swedish captain,
who Immediately pockcted 1t.
When We arrived at the landing the
Swedish captain invited me on board his
ship. We hnd been 30 intimate during
our stay that the rest of our party could
not take offense at this preference; but
how anxious they were to know the con
tnpta pf Tint npfat + iDgiGta1 TINT mn
gentleman could ask, nor would any
divulge its contents, which justly be-
longed to its captor. Once on board, the
note was opened, when an agitation seized
tho captain which made him Rppear to me
Hk n lunnic
Captain" he said, handing me the
note, you are married, and circum-
Stanc have proved how much you love
your wife. l am unmarried, and hnye
fallen desperately in love. Help mo by
your advice. What shall I dor My ship
IL ready to sail, and the wind is fair. l
do not own tho vessel or cargo and there
fore have no right TO detain her. Read,
and tell me what to To-"
AS my own marriage had been very
romantic, this affair was doubly exciting
TO mo. The note was written In q good
English hand, as follows:
~ know you are Christians, and will
save me from IAS lIe Oh ueBTnuullOn.
Entombed in this harem, from which
there is no other way of escape, l appeal
to you in mercy to save me. God, l
know, will open your hearts, give wisdom,
and guide you tomorrow night to q
silken thread thrown from this window,
near where you found my note. 10 the
thread attach your answer. Death awaits
discovery"
The night was spent IN devising means
OF rescue. The captain swore upon the
Bible that he would marry her II rescued,
and II she would consent. Jewels are
most priced when most difficult to obtain.
l was in full sympathy with his feelings,
and when the day broke our plan of &C
ton had been determined. l say that he
was united to 20 to sea, his head being
entirely turned, and to case his conscience
upon the point OF his duty l pointed out
that the interest of all parties would be
served best II he should defer his de-
parturs until the dark moon, when the
plan devised could be put into opera-
ton. This would nscessitRts a delay of
i've days.
Among our friends we were to pretend
that no Importance attached to the missive
which tho lady had thrown out. As a
reason for his delay in not sailing the
Swedish captain was to say that he had
discovered u leak in the ships top sid
after he had loaded her, which made It
necessary to careen her for repairs. 1t re-
Quired much tact to avoid the captains
with whom he had been In daily company,
and TO make excuses TO stay ashore late
every night. We stayed ashore to become
well acquainted with the guards, whom
we thought we could induce, by appearing
to be half drunk and by a liberal use OF
money, to open the gates for us at any
time. The first night we half staggered
up to the gate, handed the guards 100
piasters and then showed them our empty
pockets, whersupon they allowed us to
pass through the gate, pointing to their
hearts TO assure us that no one should
pass that way to modest US. Each of us
carried the usual paper lantern to illumi-
nate the way, and va were well armed
with pistols and cutlasses. During the
day We had paced the distance from tho
gate to the spot where we might expect to
m the thread, and We now had but to
pace of the same number Of steps In the
darkneas. Durinx tbs day aho No had